What a year it has been! Not always easy but a year to grow and learn for sure. A year and a half ago I left my life as a corporate VP of Marketing and decided to start my own business in design. This was not an easy decision for me as I have always managed large teams and loved that environment of being around a large group of creative individuals. Day after day alone in my office at home was hard and challenging but through the year I began working with a wonderful design partner that I laugh with everyday. I also worked very hard on my ceramic business this year and have been lucky enough to have wonderful people buy my pieces to put in their homes and I am ever so happy and grateful for that as well. I even rented my own studio with two other artists so I now have my own space to create! I am starting to wholesale my pieces as well and I will let you know what stores will be carrying them soon!

I saw a wonderful response to my blog this year as well and the incredible feedback from all of you has really kept me going. Sometimes it is hard after the workday to come up with new ideas and research for new homes to post but I really love it and will bring some new changes to my blog in the upcoming year. I so appreciate you coming to visit each day or whenever you can and I really love it when you drop me a note.

I am off to visit my 92 year old mom in British Columbia tomorrow and so I will be less in touch this week but I just wanted to wish you and yours all the best for 2014! I think it is going to be an amazing year!

This is the home of the owner of Sukha in Amsterdam. She has a gorgeous shop that features much of what she shows in her home. Chunky knits, cotton and pale beautiful wood are shown in every room. So dreamy and casual, I just love it. This is a style of home I could live in....super easy, clean lines and natural fabrics. Typically Nordic and modern in the taste level but with a warmth and comfort that is so appealing.

I can see my own ceramics in a home like this with the organic materials and feeling of the line fitting in so well with this look. Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Some more gorgeous Etsy shops for you this week. I am such a fan of Etsy. There are so many great things. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and the bride had a gorgeous headband with a veil attached that was really knockout and she had bought it on Etsy! Take a look at these three shops I found...

Kari is a photographer with a background in fine arts and graphic design. Her Etsy shop has been featured in many magazines and it is clear why...her prints are absolutely gorgeous! I love the flowers integrated with the design..oh so lovely really.

Lisa makes these wonderful 18K gold rings by using the technique of wax molds. Her jewellery is so simple and refined with delicate coloured stones. These are pieces to last a lifetime and to pass on...

I met Heather, the lovely owner of this shop, in New York last year and fell in love with her things. First of all her booth was all white and cream filled with soft and natural items. How could I not have let out a sigh when I saw her cute toys for children or her wonderful pillows. Lots of variety and here and full of great gifts..

I opened an Etsy shop for my ceramics this spring and have been spending a fair bit of time looking around at other pages ever since. I am always amazed by how many wonderful shops there are and the incredible creativity of many of the artists! From vintage finds to handmade pieces there is so much to look at and to choose from. Here are a few of my favourites....

When a shop is called All Things White you know I am going to love it and Kathi has done a wonderful job of curating beautiful vintage items. White china, twine and mason jars amongst other treasures, are fun to browse and would add beauty to any collection.

French vintage and antiques are found in this shop The Hope Tree. From enamel address plaques to French serving pieces there is really something for everyone.

I had seen pictures of some of her jewellery on Tumblr and then came across her page, Colby June. Love her rings and will be getting one of these for myself in the near future!